Single adult activities encourage single members of the LDS Church to meet new people.
The LDS church, commonly known as the Mormon church, was organized in the United States in the early 1800s. It has since grown to a membership of more than 13 million worldwide. It is organized into wards and stakes. A ward is the local unit of the LDS church. Members from the same community meet each Sunday to worship. Stakes are a larger unit made up of wards from the same region. In each stake, wards are organized specifically for single members of the church.
Participation
Only single members of the LDS Church may participate in single adult activities. Leaders are allowed to participate as well. Individuals who are not members of the LDS Church may participate if they agree to abide by church standards, including dress, language and behavior. Single adults are divided into two groups. The first is the young single adult group, which consists of single members between the ages of 18 and 30. The single adult group is made up of members age 31 and older. These two groups hold their own activities to encourage single members to spend time with others their own age.
Purpose
Single adult activities give single members of the LDS Church the opportunity to socialize with other singles in their age group. They are opportunities to meet men and women that share similar values. The activities help build fellowship among single members. They also help strengthen testimonies and continue to teach LDS gospel principles such as faith in Christ, repentance, the divine nature of families and moral cleanliness.
Guidelines
The LDS Church only sponsors single adult activities that comply with church standards. The environment should be free of swearing, alcohol, drugs, immodesty or other influences that contradict church teachings. Leaders at single adult activities should encourage the active participation of all members to help everyone feel included. Each activity should open and close with a prayer. Monday nights are off limits for activities, unless single adults who have no children or family at home meet as a family home evening group. Activities should provide opportunities to improve fitness, develop talents, provide service, strengthen testimonies and participate in temple work.
Activity Ideas
A Ward or Stake might organize dances for single adults. Movie nights at a leader's home are also an option. Invite single members over for church-appropriate movies and snacks. Pizza parties, barbecues and potluck dinners provide opportunities to socialize. Sporting events such as volleyball or basketball games help improve physical fitness and encourage friendship and teamwork. Church-centered activities are also encouraged by leaders because they give single members an opportunity to strengthen their testimonies. Temple work, service projects, missionary work and devotionals are just a few options.
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